Middlesbrough has unveiled ambitious plans for the most significant transformation of its town centre 'for a generation', including a new theatre, a major hotel, and thousands of new homes. The proposals, published on Wednesday (August 26), aim to respond to changes in the economy and consumer behaviour while capitalising on the demand for leisure activities.
Vision for a transformed town centre
In a move inspired by successful regeneration projects around Europe, empty buildings without development potential would be removed and the land transformed into attractive urban spaces. A brand new theatre features in the plans, alongside a hotel development and fresh approaches to bring big name shopping brands to town.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said he was 'excited' about what could be achieved by the next stage of remodelling the town centre. A new Place Leaders Partnership aiming to deliver long-lasting change has brought together Middlesbrough Council, Teesside University, Middlesbrough College, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Football Club.
Significant employers including AV Dawson and Behaviour UK also joined Cleveland Police, NHS organisations and the North East Chamber of Commerce on the partnership.
Focus on young people and community priorities
The Place Strategy produced by the partnership aims to prioritise projects based on the needs of younger generations. It aims to make Middlesbrough 'the most creative place for young people to live, learn and realise their future'.
Focusing on how the town centre needs to change for the future will ensure it is welcoming for all, boost the economy and benefit everyone in the town. A consultation involving 1,300 young people, their parents and carers informed the plans which aim to respond to challenges felt nationwide.
Headline findings from the consultation included a strong sense of pride in the town, thoughts around untapped potential and priorities around feeling safe. That feedback and input from the partnership have driven the key themes for the Place Strategy. Alongside a strong focus on the town centre, they include:
- Developing new neighbourhoods and investing in existing estates
- Building on the town's success in digital and innovation to create jobs and new opportunities for businesses
- Creating safe, green and vibrant spaces where people of all ages feel welcome
- Hammering home Middlesbrough's undoubted strengths in education so more of our talented students can build their careers and lives here
Key projects and investment plans
Exciting outlines for specific projects are set out in an updated Middlesbrough Council Investment Prospectus including:
- Creating new urban spaces by removing end-of-life retail and office buildings
- Responding to the needs of major retailers by bringing the 'out of town' shopping offer with convenient parking to central Middlesbrough, while continuing to focus premium retail activity around the Hillstreet Centre
- Developing a new theatre venue on the site of the Civic Centre
- Transforming Gurney House into a major new hotel to meet sky high demand for rooms
- Building thousands of new homes in Middlehaven and Gresham to bring guaranteed footfall and new vibrancy to the town centre
A total of 15 projects are included in the Investment Prospectus, with all being at a different stage of development. The strategies will be considered by Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke and his Executive next week.
The report describes how the way people 'work, shop and spend their leisure time is changing more rapidly than ever before'.
Mayor Cooke said: “Attracting investment and visitors to the town centre are crucial for our future. This bold series of developments would represent the most significant investment in Middlesbrough for a generation and can give people hope and optimism about what comes next.
“The strategy has been developed with our partners and informed by the needs and aspirations of young people. It’s been 18 months in the making and is all about making Middlesbrough thrive for the benefit of everyone. I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”
Cllr Theo Furness, Executive member for Economic Development, commented: “This is about preparing our town for the future and we’re starting from a position of strength.
“We have a track record in diversifying away from retail and have attracted big names in the leisure and hospitality markets. This new strategy can help us push ahead with major changes such as the ambition for a new theatre and building thousands of new homes that will have a positive effect for years to come.”
Recent successes and future ambitions
Recent successes include welcoming leading brands including STACK and Level X to the town centre. The overhaul of the Historic Quarter close to the redeveloped Railway Station is complete and work is under way on a transformation of the Old Town Hall.
The Investment Prospectus sets out different ways in which the private sector can help fund the changes. Significant grant funding at a regional and national level will also be vital.
Feasibility studies have been carried out into several projects with major operators showing an interest in developing a new theatre looking out onto Centre Square and capable of hosting touring West End shows.
Creating such an ambitious new venue would build on the momentum brought forward by MIMA hosting the Turner Prize from September and the bid to become UK City of Culture 2029. The prospectus reflects changing trends in public transport and taxi use with plans for new bus super stops to improve passenger experience.
Comfortable and convenient stops, including near the railway station, would link up bus and train services. A modern new taxi hub providing a safe waiting environment could also be built.
Middlesbrough’s biggest housing development site on land near Coulby Newham features in the document, as does the establishment of an Academic Centre of Excellence for Surgery at James Cook University Hospital. The centre of excellence would be a UK hub providing cutting-edge research and innovation, creating job opportunities and helping to retain talent in the region.
The Council’s Executive meets on Wednesday September 2 at 5pm to consider the strategies.
